Rail anchor



June 13, 1939- cs. A. JOHNSON 2,161,925

RAIL ANCHOR Filed Nov. 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /NVENTOR GEORGE A.Jomvso/v '5 Y M Ju 3, 939- G. A. JOHNSON 2 1 1 925 RAIL ANCHOR FiledNov. 23, 1936 Q 2 Sheets-Skeet 2 GEORGE A. JOHNSON Arrx l/vnwroaPatented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES RAIL ANCHOR George A. Johnson,Chicago, Ill., assignor to W. H. Miner, Inc., Chicago, 111., acorporation of Delaware Application November 23, 1936, Serial No.112,271-

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in rail anchors.

One object of the invention is to provide an efficient rail anchor ofsimple design and construction which operates to tightly clamp the railand positively prevent relative creeping of the rail and tie of therailway track structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail anchor havingsubstantially rigid jaw members which engage with and grip the railflanges to prevent creeping of the rail with respect to the tie,together with means for at all times maintaining the gripping jaws ingripping relation with the base flanges of the rail.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a rail anchor ofthe character described in the preceding paragraph made in one piece andwhich is so designed that it has a positive locking action on the railand is held in place through spring action which is entirely independentof the locking action thereof, thereby assuring tight gripping action onthe rail under all conditions of service.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from thedescription and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is abroken top plan view of a rail and tie of a railway track structureillustrating my improvements in connection therewith. Figure 2 is avertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 22 ofFigure 1. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the tie,corresponding substantially to 5 the line 33 of Figure 2 and showing therail and improved anchor in elevation. Figure 4 is a vertical sectionalview through the rail showing the improved rail anchor in elevation andalso in dotted. line position, illustrating the manner of 40 applicationof the anchor to the rail. Figure 5 is a broken View showing the rail intransverse vertical section and illustrating one of the jaw members ofanother embodiment of the invention, the remainder of the rail anchorbeing 45 broken away. Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view,corresponding substantially to the line 6-6 of Figure 5, said view alsoshowing a portion of the tie of the railway track structure. Figure 7 isa view similar to Figure 3 illustrating still an- 50 other embodiment ofthe invention.

In said drawings, I0 indicates a tie and II one of the rails of arailway track structure. The rail II is of a well-known type having theusual base flanges I2I 2 by which the rail is supported 55 on the tiesof the track structure,

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to4 inclusive, my improved rail anchor, as shown, is of one-piececonstruction and comprises broadly a pair of opposed gripping jaws A-Aanda spring loop B for holding the jaws in gripping position.

The improved anchor is preferably made of carbon spring steel, is in theform of a continuous bar of substantially rectangular cross section, andhas the jaws A-A thereof of such :1 thickness as to providesubstantially unyielding rigid. jaw structures. Each jaw A comprisesrelatively heavy top and bottom jaw members I3 and I 4 adapted toembrace and grip the corresponding rail flange I2. The jaw members I3 15and I4 are connected by a curved outer section I5 which is continuouswith said jaws and formed. integral therewith. The top jaw member I3 ofeach jaw A is tapered towards its free end, as clearly shown in Figure2, and. has a substantially flat inner face I6 slightly inclined so asto truly fit the top surface of the corresponding flange I2 of the railII. The curved section I5, which connects the jaw member I4 to the jawmember I3, is of such a contour that the inner curved face I! thereofclears the edge of the flange I2 and is spaced an appreciable distancefrom the bottom corner of said flange. As clearly shown in Figure 2, thelower jaw member I 4, which forms a continuation of the section I5,extends laterally inwardly therefrom and is bowed upwardly to engage theunderneath surface of the rail base flange I2 at a zone inwardly of theedge of said flange. The inner face portion of the jaw member I4, whichengages the flange I2 is preferably flattened for an appreciable area toform true contact with the underneath surface of the rail base.

The spring loop B which connects the jaws AA is in the form of a bar ofrectangular cross section and is broadly of inverted U-shaped form withupstanding side arms I9.I9. The arms I 9I9 of the loop B are curved andconverge inwardly toward each other near the upper ends.

A loop of substantially circular outline, open at the top, is thusprovided. Beyond the converged upper section, the arms I9--I9 are curvedlaterally outwardly in diverging relation and merge with the members I4I 4 of the jaws A-A, as indicatedat 20-20. As will be seen uponreference to Figure 2, the thickness of the metal of the loop member Bis much less than that of the jaw members I3 and I4, thereby providing asensitive leaf spring element having the proper amount of resiliency tohold the jaws A- -A in place on the rail base and permitting spreadingapart of the jaw carrying portions of the anchor to an extent to permitapplication and removal of the anchor with respect to the rail. Asshown, the merging portions 20-20 of the jaws [4-44 with the loop B aregradually tapered from the ends of the jaws 14 to the convergingsections of the arms l9--l9 of the loop B. Upon reference to Figure 3,it will be seen that the opposite side edges of the rail anchor aresubstantially parallel and one of said edges bears on the flat verticalbase of the tie II] when the anchor is in operative position. As will beevident, this parallel arrangement of the opposite edge faces providesfor application o frthe rail anchor in position with either of saidedges against the tie, thereby avoiding the necessity of providing rightand left anchors. The tie illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive is ofthat type having the corners thereof slightly rounded, as indicated at2|, thereby allowing a slight rocking of the tie engaging portion of theanchor on the tie whereby the lower or tie engaging portion of theanchor acts as lever means to eflect slight tilting or rocking of thejaws A-A of the anchor with respect to the rail with the result that atight binding or gripping action of said jaws on the base flanges l2l2of the rail II is effected. Tight gripping action of each individual jawA is assured through the resiliency of the loop member B which isyieldable so as to permit slight twisting thereof, thereby permittingslight angular displacement of the arms |9l9 of said loop member, withrespect to each other in a direction lengthwise of the rail, therebyallowing independent leverage action of the arms to effect clamping ofthe jaws A--A on the base flanges of the rail. In other words, theresilient loop construction which permits of independent movement of thearms l9 l9' provides for perfect gripping action of both jaws of theanchor on the rail even when irregularities are encountered in the endsurface of the tie or the surfaces of the base flanges of the railengaged by the jaws of the anchor. V

In applying the anchor to the rail one of the jaws A is engaged over thecorresponding base flange I2 of the rail, as shown in Figure 4, and theanchor positioned as shown by dotted lines. The anchor is then spreadapart laterally of the rail, as shown in full lines in said figure, sothat the top member l3 of the other jaw A will pass the outer edge ofthe opposite flange l2 of the rail. With the anchor in the last namedposition, the same is forced upwardly to a position where the jaw memberl3 will pass beyond the upper outer corner of the flange l2 and snapinwardly over said flange. When this occurs the rail anchor contractsdue to the resilient spring action of the loop member 13, drawing bothjaws into close engagement with the flanges |2-l2 of the rail, as shownin Figure 2. The anchor is then driven bodily against the tie intointimate contact with the vertical face thereof. In spreading the anchorin applying the same to the rail, a pinch bar or similar tool may beemployed, the

bar being preferably engaged with the free end of the upper jaw memberl3 of the jaw A at the right hand side of the anchor, as viewed inFigure 4, and fulcrumed on the outer edge of the flange I2 at thecorresponding side of the rail to obtain the necessary leverage to prythe jaw carrying section of the anchor outwardly to the position shownin full lines in said figure.

When the rail anchor is in the applied position against the tie, asshown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, creeping of the rail in a direction towardthe tie is positively prevented by the binding action of the rigid jawsA-A on the bottom flange of the rail, as hereinbefore pointed out,

vention disclosed in Figures 5 and 6, the construction and design of therail anchor is substantially identical with that shown and described inconnection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exception that theinner faces of the top and bottom members l3 and M of the jaws A-A arehollowed out or transversely concaved or inwardly curved, as indicatedat 22--22, to present relatively sharp edge portions 23-43 and 23-23which bite into the surfaces of the flanges l2 of the rail when theanchor is slightly tilted or rocked.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7, theconstruction and design of the rail anchor is substantially identicalwith that shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive with the exception that theopposite side edges of the depending loop portion B of the anchor areinclined outwardly and downwardly with respect to each other, asindicated at 24-24, thereby providing 2. depending tie engaging sectionof dovetailed or tapered transverse outline. This construction isparticularly effective with sawed ties of true square cross section, asindicated by 25, the tapered arrangement of the depending section of theanchor assuring proper gripping action of the jaws thereof by permittingslight initial tilting or rocking of the tie engaging portion of theanchor on the tie. Figure '7 shows the anchor in gripping relation withthe bottom flanges of the rail, and as will .beevident said anchor hasbeen tilted from a true vertical position wherein the lower end of thesection B is in contact with the tie and the edge portion 24 thereof isslightly inclined to the face of the tie. The tapered tie engagingportion of the anchor shown in Figure 7 is truly symmetrical at oppositesides of a vertical central plane through the length of the rail anchor,thereby providing an anchor which is available for universal applicationon either side of the tie. In other words, the anchor is designed forboth right and left application.

As will be obvious, the anchor illustrated in Figure 7 may be providedwith jaws AA having either fiat gripping faces, as disclosed in Figures1 to 4 inclusive, or inwardly curved or hollow concave gripping faces,as shown in Figures 5 and 6. It is further pointed out that the use ofthis type of anchor is not limited to application with the square sawedties and may be used with equal efficiency with ties having roundededges of the character shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferredmanner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrativeand I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within thescope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a rail anchor, the combination with transversely opposed rigidjaws adapted to respectively engage with the opposed base flanges of arail; of a tie engaging leaf spring member rigidly fixed to andpermanently connecting said jaws, said tie engaging leaf spring memberbeing of lesser thickness than the material of said jaws to provide asensitive resilient yieldable connection to permit ready relativeadjustment of the jaws with respect to each other lengthwise of therail.

2. In a rail anchor, the combination with an opposed pair of grippingjaws, each jaw comprising opposed relatively rigid gripping portionsadapted to embrace the top and bottom sides of the base flange of arail; of a twistable leaf spring member of lesser thickness than saidgripping portions rigidly fixed to and permanently connecting said jaws,said thickness being such as to provide sensitive spring action toyieldingly force the jaws toward each other to maintain them engagedwith the base flanges of the rail, said spring member being yieldable totwist on an axis transverse of the rail to permit relative adjustment ofthe jaws with respect to each other lengthwise of the rail.

3. In a rail anchor, the combination with transversely opposed jawsadapted to respectively engage with opposite side portions of the basemember of a rail, each jaw comprising a pair of opposed, relativelyrigid, gripping members; of a tie engaging sensitive leaf spring portioncomprising connected depending arms on said jaws having independentleverage engagement, with the tie, the connection between said armsbeing of lesser thickness than said gripping members of said jaws toprovide for sensitive flexibility and resiliency to yieldingly hold saidjaws engaged with the rail base member and permit relative displacementof said jaws with respect to each other lengthwise of the rail.

4. A rail anchor of one-piece construction, comprising opposed grippingjaws engageable with opposite side portions of the base member of a railand a tie engaging section connecting said jaws, each jaw including apair of opposed, relatively rigid, connected, gripping members, and saidtie engaging section being in the form of a sensitive inherentlyresilient leaf spring element of lesser thickness than said grippingmembers to yieldingly hold said jaws against lateral spreading andmaintain the same engaged with said base member.

5. A rail anchor of one-piece construction, comprising opposed jawsengageable with opposite side portions of the base member of a rail, andconnected tie engaging lever members depending from said jaws, theconnection between the lever members being in the form of a sensitiveleaf spring of lesser thickness than the rail base engaging portions ofsaid jaws to yieldingly resist spreading of said lever members laterallyof the rail and relative angling of the lever members with respect toeach other lengthwise of the rail to permit displacement of said jawswith respect to each other lengthwise of the rail.

6. A rail anchor of one-piece construction, comprising transverselyopposed rigid jaws adapted to respectively engage with the opposed baseflanges of a rail and a depending downwardly bowed sensitive leaf springconnecting section disposd transversely of the rail and engageable withthe tie for resiliently holding said jaws in engaged position, saidconnecting section being of lesser thickness than the base flangeengaging portion of said jaws to provide for yielding twistingdistortionof said section to a limited extent to permit relativeadjustment of the jaws with respect to each other lengthwise of therail.

'7. A rail anchor of one-piece construction, comprising transverselyopposed rigid jaws adapted to respectively engage with opposed baseflanges of a rail, and a barlike section of greater width than thicknessconnecting said jaws, said barlike section extending from one jaw to theother transversely of the rail and having a portion thereof boweddownwardly away from the rail, said last named portion being in the formof a sensitive leaf spring member of lesser thickness than the remainderof said bar.

8. A rail anchor of one-piece construction, comprising transverselyopposed jaws and a depending section disposed between said jawsconnecting the same, each of said jaws having rigidly connected,relatively fixed rigid gripping members adapted to grip the rail, andsaid depending section being in the form of a sensitive leaf spring oflesser thickness than said gripping members to yieldingly urge said jawsinwardly toward each other.

9. A rail anchor of one-piece construction, comprising opposed jawmembers, and a sensitive leaf spring loop section connecting said jaws,each of said jaws being rigid and having a jaw opening provided withopposed, relatively fixed gripping faces having extended engagement withthe top and bottom faces of the rail base, said loop section being oflesser thickness than the members of said jaws and yieldable in lateraldirection transversely of the rail and twistable to permit relativedisplacement of the jaws with respect to each other lengthwise of therail.

10. A rail anchor of one-piece construction, comprising opposed rigidjaws provided with V- shaped jaw openings, and a depending spring loopsection connecting said jaws, said loop section being of barlike leafspring material of rectangular cross section, greater in width thanthickness and forming the tie engaging member of said anchor, thethickness of said material of the loop section being less than thethickness of the gripping portions of said jaws to provide sensitiveresilient action.

11. In a rail anchor of one-piece construction, the combination with atie engaging open loopshaped member in the form of a sensitive leafspring, the leaf spring material of said loop member being of greaterwidth than thickness and having edge engagement with the tie; of opposedrigid jaws forming continuations of the open end of said loop, thematerial of said jaws being of greater thickness than the material ofsaid loop member to provide absolute rigidity thereof, each jaw havingan inwardly directed jaw opening providing opposed gripping elements,said elements having elongated gripping faces and being rigid withrespect to each other.

12. In a rail anchor, the combination with opposed gripping jaws adaptedto, respectively engage opposite side portions of the base member of arail, each jaw comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaw members rigidwith respect to each other, said jaws being exact duplicates; of adepending tie engaging portion of sensitive leaf spring material oflesser thickness than the gripping jaw members and formed integral with,and connecting said jaws, said tie engaging portion having substantiallystraight, parallel, tie engaging bearing faces on opposite sidesthereof,

whereby the anchor may be applied in reverse positions with either ofsaid faces in abutment with the tie.

GEORGE A. JOHNSON.

